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Open Recommendations

K-12 Education: Additional Guidance Could Improve the Equitable Services Process for School Districts and Private Schools
GAO-23-105469
May 17, 2023
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4 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Education The Secretary of Education should develop additional guidance for states to help ensure ombuds have the capacity to manage their responsibilities and to mitigate real or perceived threats to ombuds' impartiality. For example, Education's guidance could provide examples of ombuds' activities, and advise states to also consider any other responsibilities assigned to the ombuds, and how these may affect the ombuds' capacity and real or perceived impartiality. (Recommendation 1)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Education The Secretary of Education should provide ombuds with more opportunities for training on topics such as
  • monitoring and enforcing requirements related to equitable services;
  • the role of the ombuds and ESEA programs; and
  • notifying private schools and school districts about the ombuds' existence and role, and the types of issues with which ombuds may be available to assist—for example, issues related to consultations and delays in receiving equitable services.

(Recommendation 2)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Education The Secretary of Education should develop and widely circulate guidance, model templates, checklists, or other materials for states and appellants regarding the material to include in ESEA equitable services appeals that will support Education with meeting the 90-day legal deadline for resolution. (Recommendation 3)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Education The Secretary of Education should prioritize investigations and resolutions of appeals related to equitable services to meet the 90-day legal deadline for resolution. (Recommendation 4)
Open
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Department of Education: Additional Data Collection Would Help Assess the Performance of a Program Supporting College Students with Disabilities
GAO-23-105551
Feb 17, 2023
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1 Open Recommendations
1 Priority
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Education
Priority Rec.
This is a priority recommendation.
Education's Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education should collect data from SSS grantees on each participant's disability status and use this information to report on program performance for participants with disabilities. (Recommendation 1)
Open
Education agreed with this recommendation. The agency plans to collect data from SSS grantees on participants' disability status and use this information to report on the TRIO program's performance for participants with disabilities. To fully implement this recommendation, Education needs to complete these efforts. Without collecting information on which SSS participants have a disability, Education cannot fully assess SSS's performance for individuals with disabilities, and any eventual plan to evaluate and report on the performance of TRIO programs will be incomplete.

Higher Education: Department of Education Should Improve Enforcement Procedures Regarding Substantial Misrepresentation by Colleges
GAO-23-104832
Jan 12, 2023
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2 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Office of Federal Student Aid The Chief Operating Officer of the Office of Federal Student Aid should complete written procedures for selecting colleges for investigation of possible substantial misrepresentation and for conducting investigations. (Recommendation 1)
Open
Education agreed with this recommendation and indicated it will implement it by developing written policies and procedures for opening investigations and conducting such investigations. We will monitor the progress of these efforts.
Office of Federal Student Aid The Chief Operating Officer of the Office of Federal Student Aid should update written procedures for imposing penalties, as appropriate, on colleges that are found to have engaged in substantial misrepresentation. (Recommendation 2)
Open
Education agreed with this recommendation .The agency indicated it will implement it by developing policies and procedures to guide staff through the process of imposing penalties, as appropriate, on colleges that are found to have engaged in substantial misrepresentation. We will monitor the progress of these efforts.

Financial Aid Offers: Action Needed to Improve Information on College Costs and Student Aid
GAO-23-104708
Dec 05, 2022
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Congress Congress should consider legislation requiring colleges to provide all students offered federal student aid with financial aid offers containing clear and standard information that follow best practices. This could include requiring colleges to provide the College Financing Plan to all such students. (Matter for Consideration 1)
Open
We will monitor congressional activity to address this matter.
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